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Genetic variability and effective population size when local extinction and recolonization of subpopulations are frequent.

If a population (species) consists of n haploid lines (subpopulations) which reproduce asexually and each of which is subject to random extinction and subsequent replacement, it is shown that, at equilibrium in which mutational production of new alleles and their random extinction balance each other, the genetic diversity (1 minus the sum of squares of allelic frequencies) is given by 2N(e)v/(1 + 2N(e)v), where [Formula: see text] in which N is the harmonic mean of the population size per line, n is the number of lines (assumed to be large), lambda is the rate of line extinction, and v is the mutation rate (assuming the infinite neutral allele model). In a diploid population (species) consisting of n colonies, if migration takes place between colonies at the rate m (the island model) in addition to extinction and recolonization of colonies, it is shown that effective population size is [Formula: see text] If the rate of colony extinction (lambda) is much larger than the migration rate of individuals, the effective population size is greatly reduced compared with the case in which no colony extinctions occur (in which case N(e) = nN). The stepping-stone type of recolonization scheme is also considered. Bearing of these results on the interpretation of the level of genetic variability at the enzyme level observed in natural populations is discussed from the standpoint of the neutral mutation-random drift hypothesis.

Journal Article↗

Consequences of exclusive expression in vivo of Kit-ligand lacking the major proteolytic cleavage site.

Membrane growth factors that are processed to produce soluble ligands may function both as soluble factors and as membrane factors. The membrane growth factor Kit-ligand (KL), the ligand of the Kit receptor tyrosine kinase, is encoded at the Sl locus, and mice carrying Sl mutations have defects in hematopoiesis, gametogenesis, and melanogenesis. Two alternatively spliced KL transcripts encode two cell-associated KL protein products, KL-1 and KL-2. The KL-2 protein lacks the major proteolytic cleavage site for the generation of soluble KL, thus representing a more stable cell-associated form of KL. We investigated the consequences of exclusive expression of KL-2 in vivo. The KL gene in embryonic stem cells was modified and KL exon 6 was replaced with a PGKneoNTRtkpA cassette by homologous recombination, and mice carrying the SlKL2 allele were obtained. SlKL2/SlKL2 mice had only slightly reduced levels of soluble KL in their serum, suggesting that in vivo KL-2 may be processed to produce soluble KL-2S. The steady-state characteristics of the hematopoietic system and progenitor numbers were normal, and the mutant animals were not anemic. However, mast cell numbers in the skin and peritoneum were reduced and the mutant animals displayed increased sensitivity to sublethal doses of gamma-irradiation. Therefore, KL-2 may substitute for KL-1 in most situations with the exception of the production of mast cells, and induced proteolytic cleavage of KL-1 to produce soluble KL may have a role in the regeneration of hematopoietic tissue after radiation injury.

Alternative Splicing↗

Mutation of a highly conserved arginine in motif IV of Escherichia coli DNA helicase II results in an ATP-binding defect.

A site-directed mutation in motif IV of Escherichia coli DNA helicase II (UvrD) was generated to examine the functional significance of this region. The highly conserved arginine at position 284 was replaced with alanine to construct UvrD-R284A. The ability of the mutant allele to function in methyl-directed mismatch repair and UvrABC-mediated nucleotide excision repair was examined by genetic complementation assays. The R284A substitution abolished function in both DNA repair pathways. To identify the biochemical defects responsible for the loss of biological function, UvrD-R284A was purified to apparent homogeneity, and its biochemical properties were compared with wild-type UvrD. UvrD-R284A failed to unwind a 92-base pair duplex region and was severely compromised in unwinding a 20-base pair duplex region. The Km of UvrD-R284A for ATP was significantly greater than 3 mM compared with 80 microM for UvrD. A large decrease in ATP binding was confirmed using a nitrocellulose filter binding assay. These data suggested that the R284A mutation severely reduced the affinity of helicase II for ATP. The reduced unwinding activity and loss of biological function of UvrD-R284A was probably the result of decreased affinity for ATP. These results implicate motif IV of superfamily I helicases in nucleotide binding and represent the first characterization of a helicase mutation outside motifs I and II that severely impacted the Km for ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Macrolide-resistant pneumococcal endocarditis and epidural abscess that develop during erythromycin therapy.

Suppurative complications of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections have become uncommon in the antibiotic era. We report a case of pneumococcal bacteremia and pneumonia complicated with epidural abscess and endocarditis in which macrolide resistance (the MLS(B) phenotype) emerged during erythromycin therapy. Genetic determinants known to mediate the most common mechanisms of macrolide resistance (methylation of the 23S rRNA and antibiotic efflux) were not detected by polymerase chain reaction or DNA hybridization. Sequence analysis of the DNA encoding the 23S rRNA of the macrolide-resistant isolate from the patient demonstrated the replacement of adenine by thymine at position 2058 (A2058T) in 2 of 4 alleles. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of the emergence of resistance during macrolide therapy for community-acquired pneumonia, particularly if suppurative complications of pneumococcal infection are suspected.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Identification of the sequences in HMG-CoA reductase required for karmellae assembly.

In all eukaryotic cells that have been examined, specific membrane arrays are induced in response to increased levels of the ER membrane protein, HMG-CoA reductase. Analysis of these inducible membranes has the potential to reveal basic insights into general membrane assembly. Yeast express two HMG-CoA reductase isozymes, and each isozyme induces a morphologically distinct proliferation of the endoplasmic reticulum. The isozyme encoded by HMG1 induces karmellae, which are long stacks of membranes that partially enclose the nucleus. In contrast, the isozyme encoded by HMG2 induces short stacks of membrane that may be associated with the nucleus, but are frequently present at the cell periphery. To understand the molecular nature of the different cellular responses to Hmg1p and Hmg2p, we mapped the region of Hmg1p that is needed for karmellae assembly. For this analysis, a series of exchange alleles was examined in which a portion of the Hmg2p membrane domain was replaced with the corresponding Hmg1p sequences. Results of this analysis indicated that the ER lumenal loop between predicted transmembrane domains 6 and 7 was both necessary and sufficient for karmellae assembly, when present in the context of an HMG-CoA reductase membrane domain. Immunoblotting experiments ruled out the simple possibility that differences in the amounts of the various chimeric HMG-CoA reductase proteins was responsible for the altered cellular responses. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that each yeast isozyme induces or organizes a qualitatively different organization of ER membrane.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intron mobility in phage T4 is dependent upon a distinctive class of endonucleases and independent of DNA sequences encoding the intron core: mechanistic and evolutionary implications.

Although mobility of the phylogenetically widespread group I introns appears to be mechanistically similar, the phage T4 intron-encoded endonucleases that promote mobility of the td and sunY introns are different from their eukaryotic counterparts. Most notably, they cleave at a distance from the intron insertion sites. The td enzyme was shown to cleave 23-26 nt 5' and the sunY endonuclease 13-15 nt 3' to the intron insertion site to generate 3-nt or 2-nt 3'-OH extensions, respectively. The absolute coconversion of exon markers between the distant cleavage and insertion sites is consistent with the double-strand-break repair model for intron mobility. As a further critical test of the model we have demonstrated that the mobility event is independent of DNA sequences that encode the catalytic intron core structure. Thus, in derivatives in which the lacZ or kanR coding sequences replace the intron, these marker genes are efficiently inserted into intron-minus alleles when the cognate endonuclease is provided in trans. The process is therefore endonuclease-dependent, rather than dependent on the intron per se. These findings, which imply that the endonucleases rather than the introns themselves were the primordial mobile elements, are incorporated into a model for the evolution of mobile introns.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional overlap between the mammalian Sar1a and Sar1b paralogs in vivo.

Proteins carrying a signal peptide and/or a transmembrane domain enter the intracellular secretory pathway at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are transported to the Golgi apparatus via COPII vesicles or tubules. SAR1 initiates COPII coat assembly by recruiting other coat proteins to the ER membrane. Mammalian genomes encode two SAR1 paralogs, SAR1A and SAR1B. While these paralogs exhibit ~90% amino acid sequence identity, it is unknown whether they perform distinct or overlapping functions in vivo. We now report that genetic inactivation of Sar1a in mice results in lethality during mid-embryogenesis. We also confirm previous reports that complete deficiency of murine Sar1b results in perinatal lethality. In contrast, we demonstrate that deletion of Sar1b restricted to hepatocytes is compatible with survival, though resulting in hypocholesterolemia that can be rescued by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of either SAR1A or SAR1B. To further examine the in vivo function of these 2 paralogs, we genetically engineered mice with the Sar1a coding sequence replacing that of Sar1b at the endogenous Sar1b locus. Mice homozygous for this allele survive to adulthood and are phenotypically normal, demonstrating complete or near-complete overlap in function between the two SAR1 protein paralogs in mice. These data also suggest upregulation of SAR1A gene expression as a potential approach for the treatment of SAR1B deficiency (chylomicron retention disease) in humans.

Preprint↗

Core promoter elements can regulate transcription on a separate chromosome in trans.

Transvection can cause the expression of a gene to be sensitive to the proximity of a homolog. It can account for many cases of intragenic complementation at the Drosophila yellow gene, where one mode of transvection involves the action of enhancers in trans on a promoter present on a separate chromosome. Our goal was to identify cis-acting elements that regulate the trans action of enhancers. Using gene replacement, we altered two core promoter elements at yellow and tested the resulting alleles for their ability to support transvection. We found that the TATA box and initiator element can regulate transvection.

Drosophila Proteins↗

The tobacco plastid accD gene is essential and is required for leaf development.

Angiosperm plastid genomes typically encode approximately 80 polypeptides, mainly specifying plastid-localized functions such as photosynthesis and gene expression. Plastid protein synthesis and expression of the plastid clpP1 gene are essential for development in tobacco, indicating the presence of one or more plastid genes whose influence extends beyond the plastid compartment. The plastid accD gene encodes the beta-carboxyl transferase subunit of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and is present in the plastids of most flowering plants, including non-photosynthetic parasitic plants. We replaced the wild-type accD gene with an aadA-disrupted mutant allele using homologous recombination. Persistent heteroplasmy in the presence of antibiotics indicated that the wild-type accD allele was essential. The phenotype of the accD knockout was revealed in plastid transformants grown in the absence of antibiotics. Leaves contained pale green sectors and lacked part or all of the leaf lamina due to arrested division or loss of cells. Abnormal structures were present in plastids found in mutant plants, indicating that accD might be required to maintain the plastid compartment. Loss of the plastid compartment would be expected to be lethal. These results provide genetic evidence showing the essential role of plastid ACCase in the pathway leading to the synthesis of products required for the extra-plastidic processes needed for leaf development.

Genes, Essential↗

Gene targeting in human somatic cells. Complete inactivation of an interferon-inducible gene.

The role, if any, of the human interferon-inducible 6-16 gene in the establishment of a cellular antiviral state is unknown. To address this problem, and as part of a wider investigation of homologous recombination (HR) and its applications in somatic cells, we have been using HR to disrupt the 6-16 gene in human cell lines [Itzhaki, J. E. & Porter, A. C. G. (1991) Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 3835-3842.] We describe here the design and use of insertion and replacement-type targeting constructs based on a promoterless bacterial gpt gene that is activated by HR with the 6-16 gene. In HeLa cells, both targeting constructs underwent extrachromosomal HR with a cotransfected plasmid carrying the 6-16 gene. In a previously targeted clone derived from the fibrosarcoma cell line HT1080, the replacement construct underwent HR with either the modified or the unmodified 6-16 allele. The latter events generated doubly disrupted (6-16-/-) clones that failed to express any detectable 6-16 messenger RNA in response to interferon. Plaque assays of infected 6-16-/- cells showed that expression of the 6-16 gene was not required for the induction by interferon of an antiviral state against encephalomyocarditis virus, semliki forest virus or cocal virus.

Base Sequence↗

Novel events associated with phenotypic reversion of a P element mutant in Drosophila melanogaster.

Transposable P elements have been used extensively for Drosophila mutagenesis. While their mutagenic activity has long been recognized, the mechanisms by which P elements cause mutations are varied and not completely understood. We describe here an experiment to replace a P element at vestigial (vg) that caused a strong mutant phenotype (P[21-3]) with a P element (P[21]) known to produce a very weak phenotype when inserted at vg. In addition to testing the feasibility of P element replacements at vg, our investigation led to the production of 7 new vg alleles and 1 apparent second site suppressor. All the vg21-3 revertants that we recovered had a P element inserted into the first exon of vg at the same location and in the same orientation as the original element in vg21-3, providing a unique opportunity to study the mechanism of transposon mutagenesis. A majority of the revertants arose from a previously described event: internal deletion of P sequences, including the P promoter. In addition, 3 novel reversions of the vg21-3 wing phenotype were recovered. The wings of homozygous vg21r36 flies were normal. However, vg21r36 in combination with a deletion of the vg locus exhibited a strong mutant wing phenotype. This was surprising, because the P element insertion in vg21r36 was very similar to that found in the vg21 allele, which showed only slight nicking of the wings in combination with a deletion. In vg21r4, reversion was caused by a tandem insertion of P[21] and the original P[21-3] element present in vg21-3. Finally, the vg21r7 revertant had a P[21-3] insert at vg and 3 additional P elements elsewhere in the genome. We hypothesize that reversion in the 3 novel cases might be caused by P repressor produced by an element at vg or, in the case of vg21r7, elsewhere in the genome. This raises an interesting aspect of P element evolution. While P transposons produce mutations that might prove deleterious to their host, their success in invading the genome of D. melanogaster may be explained by their ability to silence those same mutations by a range of repressor-producing elements.

Alleles↗

Effects of a frequent apolipoprotein E isoform, ApoE4Freiburg (Leu28-->Pro), on lipoproteins and the prevalence of coronary artery disease in whites.

Different isoforms of apoE modulate the concentrations of plasma lipoproteins and the risk for atherosclerosis. A novel apoE isoform, apoE4Freiburg, was detected in plasma by isoelectric focusing because its isoelectric point is slightly more acidic than that of apoE4. ApoE4Freiburg results from a base exchange in the APOE4 gene that causes the replacement of a leucine by a proline at position 28. Analysis of the allelic frequencies in whites in southwestern Germany revealed that this isoform is frequent among control subjects (10:4264 alleles) and is even more frequent in patients with coronary artery disease (21:2874 alleles; P=0.004; adjusted odds ratio, 3.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 7.97). ApoE4Freiburg affects serum lipoproteins by lowering cholesterol, apoB, and apoA-I compared with apoE4 (P<0.05). Our 4 apoE4Freiburg homozygotes suffered from various phenotypes of hyperlipoproteinemia (types IIa, IIb, IV, and V). In vitro binding studies excluded a binding defect of apoE4Freiburg, and in vivo studies excluded an abnormal accumulation of chylomicron remnants. ApoE4Freiburg and apoE4 accumulated to a similar extent in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. HDLs, however, contained about 40% less apoE4Freiburg than apoE4. In conclusion, our data indicate that apoE4Freiburg exerts its possible atherogenic properties by affecting the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and HDL.

Adult↗

Unique C1 inhibitor dysfunction in a kindred without angioedema. II. Identification of an Ala443-->Val substitution and functional analysis of the recombinant mutant protein.

We have determined the cause of an unusual C1 inhibitor abnormality in a large kindred. We previously found that half of serum C1 inhibitor molecules in affected kindred members are normal. The other half complexed with C1s but showed little complex formation with C1r. These molecules also appeared to be relatively resistant to digestion by trypsin. Taken together, the findings suggested that members of this kindred are heterozygous for an unusual C1 inhibitor mutation. Sequencing of genomic DNA from the kindred revealed that thymine has replaced cytosine in the codon for Ala443 (P2 residue) in one C1 inhibitor allele, resulting in substitution with a Val residue. To test the effect of this substitution, a mutant C1 inhibitor containing Ala443-->Val was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and expressed in COS-1 cells. Both the Ala443-->Val mutant and the wild-type C1 inhibitor complexed completely with C1s, kallikrein, and coagulation Factor XIIa after incubation at 37 degrees C for 60 min. In contrast, the mutant inhibitor failed to complex completely with C1r under the same conditions. Time course analysis showed that the ability of the mutant to complex with C1s is also impaired: although it complexed completely in 60 min, the rate of complex formation during a 0-60-min incubation was decreased compared with wild-type C1 inhibitor. The mutant inhibitor also formed a complex with trypsin, a serine protease that cleaves, and is not inhibited by, wild-type C1 inhibitor. The Ala443-->Val mutation therefore converts C1 inhibitor from a substrate to an inhibitor of trypsin. These studies emphasize the role of the P2 residue in the determination of target protease specificity.

Angioedema↗

Osteogenesis imperfecta: practical treatment guidelines.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), an inherited connective tissue disorder of remarkable clinical variability, is caused by a quantitative or qualitative defect in collagen synthesis and is characterised by bone fragility. The number of fractures and deformities, and the age at which they begin greatly influence the prognosis and the achievement of walking and autonomy. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for diagnosis, for communication with patient and parents, and to tailor treatment needs to the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. Three types of treatment are available: nonsurgical management (physical therapy, rehabilitation, bracing and splinting), surgery (intramedullary rod positioning, spinal and basilar impression surgery), and drugs to increase the strength of bone and decrease the number of fractures. An aggressive rehabilitative approach is indicated to optimise functional ability and walking capacity; appropriately timed surgery to insert intramedullary rods provides improved function of extremities. Despite a high rate of complications, intramedullary telescopic roding has proven to be the most successful method for preventing and correcting fractures and deformities of long bones, improving walking capability and leading to successful rehabilitation of even severely affected patients. Surgery may be required in patients with progressive spinal deformity and in those with symptomatic basilar impression. Hearing function, dentinogenesis imperfecta, cardiac and respiratory function, and neurological changes must be monitored. The causal defect of the disease cannot be corrected with medical treatment and, currently, only symptomatic therapy is available. In recent years growth hormone (GH) and bisphosphonate agents have been used in OI therapy. GH is beneficial in patients with moderate forms of OI, showing a positive effect on bone turnover, bone mineral density and height velocity rate. Bisphosphonates have proved beneficial in children with severe OI, increasing bone mineral density and reducing the fracture rate and pain with no adverse effects reported. These data require confirmation in double-blind controlled studies; however, bisphosphonates have markedly improved morbidity in patients with OI. Future developments in genetic therapy may be directed towards either replacing cells carrying the mutant gene with normal cells or silencing the mutant allele using antisense suppression therapy, thus transforming a biochemically severe form of OI into a mild form.

Child↗

A new transthyretin variant (Ser23Asn) associated with familial amyloidosis in a Portuguese patient.

The detection and characterization of a new transthyretin (ATTR) variant, Ser23Asn, associated with cardiomyopathy in a Portuguese patient with familial amyloidosis is described. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of serum from the propositus demonstrated heterozygosity for the presence of wild type and variant ATTR. A combination of mass spectrometric (MS) analyses, including electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/ESI MS and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) performed on the serum-derived TTR were used to identify and locate the amino acid replacement in the variant protein. Genetic mutation analysis by DNA sequencing and allele-specific PCR confirmed this finding.

Adult↗

A novel -66T/C polymorphism in Fc epsilon RI alpha-chain promoter affecting the transcription activity: possible relationship to allergic diseases.

We found a novel polymorphism, -66T/C, in the promoter region of human FcepsilonRIalpha, the specific component of the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI), which is essential for the cell surface expression of FcepsilonRI and the binding of IgE Ab. When the effect of the single nucleotide replacement on the promoter function was analyzed, the transcription activity of the T allele promoter was found to be higher than that of the C allele promoter, and was markedly up-regulated by the overexpression of GATA-1 when compared with the C allele promoter. This is probably because the promoter with T at -66 has an additional GATA-1-binding motif in the region, which may assure higher affinity of the transcription factor to the promoter. In accordance with this, EMSA actually indicated that GATA-1 bound to the T allele probe (-80/-59) with the affinity higher than that to the C allele probe. Statistical analysis suggested that a significant portion of nonallergic individuals has heterozygous -66T/C genotype, while most of allergic individuals have homozygous -66T/T genotype in Japanese population. Our findings for the first time demonstrate the presence of FcepsilonRIalpha polymorphism related to the allergic diseases.

Animals↗

Association of CYP1B1 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk.

Cytochrome P450 1B1 catalyzes the conversion of 17-beta-estradiol (E2) to thecatechol estrogen metabolites 2-OH-E2 and 4-OH-E2 that have been postulated to be involved in mammary carcinogenesis. We sought to determine whether two common functional polymorphisms in Cytochrome P450 1B1, V432L (m1), and A453S (m2) are related to breast cancer risk. Using a nested case control design within the Nurses' Health Study cohort, we genotyped 453 cases and 456 controls and found no significant association between m1[val/leu and leu/leu versus val/val, OR = 1 (CI, 0.72-1.45)] or m2 [asn/ser and ser/ser versus asn/asn, OR = 0.8 (CI, 0.62-1.15)] and breast cancer risk. However, we did observe women with the Val/Val (m1) genotype to have a higher percentage of estrogen receptor-positive tumors (P = 0.03). We did not observe any correlation with the m2 genotypes and estrogen receptor status. The association of the m1 and m2 genotypes on plasma hormone levels in postmenopausal control women not using hormone replacement therapy was also evaluated. Carriers of the m1 leu and m2 ser alleles had modestly higher estradiol levels but similar estrone and estrone sulfate levels. The results presented do not support a strong association between m1 and m2 and the risk of breast cancer.

Adult↗

A frequent thrombomodulin amino acid dimorphism is not associated with thrombophilia.

We report a C/T dimorphism in the thrombomodulin (TM) gene that predicts an Ala455----Val replacement in the sixth EGF-like domain of TM. This dimorphism has allelic frequencies of 82 (Ala) and 18% (Val) in a normal population. In a group of protein C deficient patients and in a group of subjects with unexplained thrombophilia the allelic frequencies were found to be the same as in the normal population. This indicates that with respect to thrombophilia the dimorphism is essentially neutral.

Amino Acids↗